Running off IDW Games' miniatures-driven "Adventures Universal Game System" (AUGS) engine, Batman: The Animated Series Adventures – Shadow of the Bat allows players to take the role of any hero in their roster in the game's 24 unique missions, which areall inspired by fan-favorite episodes. Even villains can be swapped out in every mission to change up the threats that players will face.
In Shadow of the Bat, 1-4 players take to the streets as Batman, Batgirl, Robin, Commissioner Gordon, and Catwoman, each with their own unique character abilities, skills, and custom dice. They have to work together to take down the likes of Two-Face, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze, The Riddler, Scarecrow, Man-Bat, The Joker, and Harley Quinn. As with other AUGS games, villains can be controlled by the game itself for full co-op play or by a fifth player. AUGS' modularity means that players can even create their own dream scenarios and teams, including bringing in elements from other AUGS products.
- Strong thematic hook for RPG fans
- Engaging when played with a group that enjoys narrative-building
- Not as immediately accessible to non-RPG players
- Some complexity; may require guidance for new players
- D&D-inspired adventure creation
- dice-placement with RPG character-building flavor
- imaginative, character-driven
- Destinies / Adnausium reference in the same segment
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- character customization — Choose abilities and alignments to shape a small RPG-like arc
- Dice Placement — Roll and assign dice to build a character with different attributes
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- games and the worlds they create they create safe havens for people
- there are good people out there... welcome here on this channel
- the worlds waiting for me
- the power of gaming... safe space that designers create
- forget that you're surrounded by 400 people in that moment and just be there
- it's magical
- the nests are really really they add to how cute it was
- pusher luck feels really good
- the endgame is still relevant to make buildings because if I make this building that is worth five people, that's five more people that I have to outlast this blood bath
- the joys of escapism and safe spaces in gaming